Container lid for vacuum sealing having locking parts and vacuum-sealed container employing same

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The invention relates to a container lid for vacuum sealing maintaining negative pressure in an internal space of the container and a vacuum-sealed container employing the same, more specifically to a container lid for vacuum sealing, in which additional locking portion in the container lid besides a suction locking of the container lid with respect to the container main body by negative pressure generated in the internal space of the container is provided so that even when the negative pressure is weakened the container lid is prevented from being released from the container main body, and a vacuum-sealed container employing the same.

BACKGROUND OF TECHNOLOGY

Foods are changed slowly by various kinds of fungi existing in air. In order to slow down the speed of change of foods, besides a method using refrigerator, a vacuum-storing method has been used, in which air in the container is removed, making the pressure lower inside than outside. Prior arts about vacuumed container used in the vacuum-storing method include Korean Application Publications 10-2008-0014536 (Title: Multi-purpose Vacuum Container Lid) and 10-2010-0078576 (Title: Vacuum Container Lid and Check Valve and Packing for the Same).

According to vacuumed containers disclosed by the two prior arts, air in the internal space of the container escapes outwards through a check valve provided in a container lid by pressure (external force) applied when disposing a packing at the opening part of the container and covering with the container lid, and if the external force is removed in such a state, the volume of the internal space of the container gets larger due to the packing's elasticity, but since the check valve shuts down external air entering into the inside of the container, a vacuum mood of lower than the atmosphere is made in the internal space of the container. According to such a vacuum-making structure, the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the container maintains the container lid stuck to the opening part of the container main body. Since the pressure difference is large, it is very hard for a person to detach the container lid from the container main body forcefully unless the check valve is opened forcefully. Since the locking function of the container lid is obtained using such pressure difference between the inside and outside of the container, and in order to avoid a structural complexity, any separate locking means was not provided.

However, it was found through actual usage that the following improvements are needed for the locking function using the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the container. Even though packing or check valve is made with silicon or rubber with excellent sealing function, since they cannot provide a perfect sealing, as time goes on, the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the container gets smaller and smaller, and the locking force of the container lid with respect to the container main body is weakened accordingly, so that sometimes it falls in a state, in which when pull up the container lid it get detached easily from the container main body. If the container is used constantly without washing completely, small debris (food scraps, etc.) may be stuck between the packing or check valve and a surface of the container, and then sealing can be damaged due to such a portion with debris. In such a case, weakening of pressure difference may speed up. In cases, the user tampers the check valve and external air may be introduced into the container, resulting in a similar situation. In such a state, if the user thinks that the container lid is attached strongly to the container main body and takes it out of the refrigerator, for example, by holding the container lid only, the container lid can be detached from the container main body by giving in to the weight of the container main body and contents in it. In such a case, the container main body can be toppled right away, or falls down after being lifted for a short while, pouring out the contents undesirably. If, when carrying food in the container for a picnic, the locking of container lid is weakened due to the above weakening of pressure difference, liquid contents may ooze out of the container when there is shaking or tilting.

On the other hand, there are various kinds of containers for food such as bowl-type or plate-type. Also, the shapes of container are diverse. In a case of bowl-type container, there is a shape, in which a side wall of the container is perpendicular to a bottom floor or more and more inclined outwards as approaching an opening part. In a case of plate-type container, the edge of opening part is nearly horizontal. Almost all the cases, such conventional containers do not have any structure having separate locking protrusions for engaging with a vacuum-sealed container lid. It is necessary to improve lids of such vacuum-sealed containers so as to engage stably with such vacuum-sealed containers without separate locking protrusions, preventing the contents from spilling.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Problems to Solve

An object of the invention is to solve the above problems and provide a container lid for vacuum sealing and vacuum-sealed container employing same, in which the container lid suction-locks to a container main body by negative pressure formed in an internal space of container and at the same time even if the negative pressure is weakened the locking state of the container lid with the container main body can be maintained through a separated self-locking means, so as to prevent the container from being spilled when lifting up by holding the container lid or the contents in the container from spilling.

Also, other object of the invention is to provide a container lid for vacuum sealing having self-locking means and vacuum-sealed container employing same, which can be applied flexibly to various conventional container main bodies without separate locking protrusions for engaging container lid.

Technological Solutions to Problems

According to an embodiment of the invention for solving the above problems, a container lid for vacuum sealing is provided, which maintains negative pressure in an internal space provided by covering an open upper part of container main body and seals. The container lid comprises: a packing-installing groove provided so as to go around an internal surface of a lid main body for covering an open upper part of the container main body; a closed-loop shape packing installed in the packing-installing groove and sealing contacting surface by press-fitting between an opening part of the container main body and the packing-installing groove; a check valve installing part provided on an external surface of the lid main body and in the packing-installing groove; a check valve installed in the check valve installing part and configured for generating negative pressure in the internal space of the container by allowing air inside the container to flow to the outside but preventing outside air from flowing into the container when a pressure difference occurs between the inside and outside of the container in a state that the container lid covers and seals an open upper part of the container main body; a plurality of self catching protrusions provided at two or more portions of an edge of the container lid; and a plurality of locking members, each of which being installed rotatably in portions of the edge of the lid main body neighboring the plurality of the self catching protrusions. Each of the plurality of locking members comprises a main body locking protrusions preventing the container lid from being detached from the container main body by latching to an edge of the container main body when the negative pressure in the internal space of the container is weakened in a closed state, and a self-locking protrusion preventing the locking member from opening by being press-fitted and engaging the self catching protrusion in the above closed state.

Preferably, the container lid is configured, while a pressure difference between the internal space of the container and an outside of the container in maintained, for pressing down on the packing with a force corresponding to the pressure difference and being press-fitted to the open top part of the container main body.

The lid main body is provided with the packing-installing groove and the check valve installing part respectively in an edge circumference of an inner surface and in a edge circumference of an outer surface, and comprises an opening cover portion covering an open upper part of the container main body, a locking-member installing portion bent at an edge of the opening cover portion, extending downwards, enclosing an outer side surface of the opening part portion of the container main body, and enabling to install the plurality of locking-members at least at two locations, and a side surface enclosing portion provided with the self catching protrusions.

According to an embodiment, the locking-member installing portion comprises a locking-member installing groove provided in a form in which a section corresponding to a length of the locking member is cut out from the side surface enclosing portion and a pair of rotational axle supporting protrusions protruding in a circumferential direction from two facing side surfaces of the locking-member installing groove facing each other. The locking member comprises a rotational axle supported rotatably by a pair of protrusion-inserting groove provided at both ends inserted respectively by the pair of rotational axle supporting members, and a locking wing that is bent at the rotational axle, extending side by side with the side surface enclosing portion, and formed with the self-locking protrusions and the main body locking protrusions inside. In such a case, preferably the locking-member installing portion further comprises a pair of locking-member supporting portions provided on both side surfaces facing each other in a circumferential direction with respect to the locking-member installing groove in thick and strengthened forms so as to withstand force applied to the locking member. Preferably, the pair of the rotational axle supporting protrusions are provided on two facing inner surfaces of the pair of the locking-member supporting portions. Preferably, the self catching protrusions are provided respectively at lower ends of the pair of locking-member supporting portions.

According to another embodiment, the locking-member installing portion comprises a locking-member supporting portion extending by a specific length side by side with the side surface enclosing portion from an edge of the opening part covering portion in a partial section of a section of the side surface enclosing portion corresponding to a length of the locking member, a pair of locking-member installing grooves provided in forms of cutting out a remaining sections on both sides of the locking-member supporting portion, and a pair of rotational axle supporting protrusions protruding in opposite circumferential directions from two opposing side surfaces in circumferential direction of the locking-member supporting portion. The locking member comprises a pair of rotational axle aligned with an interval corresponding to a distance of the partial middle section, received in the pair of locking-member installing grooves respectively, inserted to the pair of rotational axle supporting protrusions on facing surfaces, and enabling the locking member to rotate, and a locking wing bent at the pair of the rotational axles, extending side by side with the side surface enclosing portion, having a portion corresponding to the locking-member supporting portion bored but an entirety being of one body, and having the self-locking protrusions and the main body locking protrusions formed on an inner surface. In such a case, the self catching protrusions are provided at least one of lower ends of both farthest side surfaces of the locking-member installing grooves or lower ends of the locking-member supporting portion.

In the container lid for vacuum sealing, preferably the locking member further comprises a handle provided by protruding horizontally on an external surface so as to pull up the container lid by hooking a finger.

As for the press-sealing of the container lid with respect to the container main body, if a high pressure is formed in an internal space of the container by lowering the container lid with an external force and press-fitting on the opening part portion of the container main body, the check valve provides an air venting path so as to allow air in the internal space of the container escape to outside of the container, and if the external force is removed, the packing expands with its own elasticity pushing up the container lid and forming negative pressure in the internal space of the container, and the check valve is sucked on a surface of the check valve installing portion closing the air venting path so as to maintain the negative pressure in the internal space of the container, and at the same time the container lid presses down on the packing due to the pressure difference between the internal space and outer space of the container, so as to be suction-engaged strongly to the opening part portion of the container main body.

In the container lid for vacuum sealing, in a state of sealing an empty space formed by enclosing the check valve and the check valve installing portion and covering, if a pressure in the empty space is lowered below a pressure of the internal space of the container by pumping with a vacuum pump, it is configured that the check valve provides an air venting path due to weakening of press-fitting force with a surface of the check valve installing portion and air in the internal space of the container escapes into the empty space through the air venting path and is vented out to the outside of the container through the vacuum pump, so as to form larger negative pressure in the internal space of the container.

If a main body catching protrusion is provided near to an external surface opening part of the container main body, while negative pressure is formed in the internal space of the container, the main body locking protrusions are away from a bottom surface of the main body catching protrusions not caught by the main body catching protrusions, but as the negative pressure in the internal space of the container is reduced, the packing expands and push up the container lid so as to make the main body locking protrusions caught by the main body catching protrusions, so that even though the negative pressure in the internal space of the container is relieved, preferably, the container lid is configured of not being disengaged from the container main body.

When the container main body is of a type of a dish having an edge of the opening part that is a horizontal or tilted surface extending sideways, preferably, the main body locking protrusions are disposed away from a bottom surface of an edge of the opening part and not caught while the negative pressure is formed in the internal space of the container, but as the negative pressure formed in the internal space of the container gets decreasing, the packing expands and pushes the container lid upwards so that the main body locking protrusions are caught at the edge of the opening part, such that even though the negative pressure in the internal space of the container is relieved the container lid is not disengaged from the container main body.

When the container main body is of a type of a bowl having a side wall and a top opening part that is a tilted surface extending upwards, preferably, the main body locking protrusions are disposed away from a bottom surface of an outer surface of the opening part and not caught while the negative pressure is formed in the internal space of the container, but as the negative pressure formed in the internal space of the container gets decreasing, the packing expands and pushes the container lid upwards so that the main body locking protrusions are caught at the outer surface of the opening part, such that even though the negative pressure in the internal space of the container is relieved the container lid is not disengaged from the container main body.

The check valve comprises a valve body portion having an outer surface resembling a caldron lid and an inner surface having a suction-sealing portion including a concave portion disposed in a center and having a specific area and a tilting surface bending from an edge of the concave portion and extending obliquely downwards, a vacuum-indicating portion formed convexly upwards in a form of thin film on a partial region of the concave portion, a protruding bump protruding upwards on an outer surface of the valve body portion, and a fixing portion extending downwards in a center of the internal space of the concave portion and having a latching bump formed in a middle, and the entire container lid is formed monolithically using silicon or rubber. The vacuum-indicating portion collapses downwards convexly while the negative pressure is formed in the internal space of the container. The valve body portion gets decreasing thickness as going in a radial direction from the center of the concave portion and the suction-sealing portion comprises closed-loop shape edge protrusions that compensates thickness and increases suction-sealing force as going around an edge of outer surface. The check valve-installing portion has a form of concave groove for installing the check valve, and a valve-engaging hole to which the fixing portion is pressed in and fixed, an air-circulating path having a shape of annular groove enclosing the valve-engaging hole, and an air-venting hole bored from inside of the air-circulating path to the internal space of the container are provided in a bottom of groove of the check valve-installing portion. And, when there is negative pressure in the internal space of the container, the concave portion of the check valve covers top of the air-circulating path and its inner region while staying away therefrom, and the suction-sealing portion is sucked and attached to a floor surface of the check valve-installing portion outside the air-circulating path, sealing the attaching surface.

On the other hand, according to another embodiment, a vacuum sealing container comprises: a container main body having an open upper part, providing a receiving space inside, and provided with a main body catching protrusion on an outer surface besides an opening part; and a container lid for forming negative pressure in an internal space provided by covering the open upper part of the container main body for sealing. In the vacuum sealing container, the container lid comprises: a packing-installing groove provided so as to go around an internal surface of a lid main body for covering an open upper part of the container main body; closed-loop shape packing installed in the packing-installing groove and sealing contacting surface by press-fitting between an opening part of the container main body and the packing-installing groove; a check valve installing part provided on an external surface of the lid main body and in the packing-installing groove; a check valve installed in the check valve installing part and configured for generating negative pressure in the internal space of the container by allowing air inside the container to flow to the outside but preventing outside air from flowing into the container when a pressure difference occurs between the inside and outside of the container in a state that the container lid covers and seals an open upper part of the container main body; a plurality of self catching protrusions provided at two or more portions of an edge of the container lid; and a plurality of locking members, each of which being installed rotatably in portions of the edge of the lid main body neighboring the plurality of the self catching protrusions. Each of the plurality of locking members comprises a main body locking protrusions preventing the container lid from being detached from the container main body by the packing's expanding and pushing the container lid upwards and latching to the main body catching protrusions as the negative pressure in the internal space of the container is weakened in a closed state, and a self-locking protrusion preventing the locking member from opening by being press-fitted and engaging the self catching protrusion in the above closed state.

Effects of Invention

In a container lid according to the invention, even though negative pressure formed in the internal space of container decreases and the engaging force between the container main body and the container lid is weakened, a separate locking means provided in the container lid can maintain the container lid in the engaging state to the container main body. Therefore, irrespective of decrease of negative pressure formed in the internal space of container, the container lid only can be grabbed and lifted up without spilling the contents or tilted without leaking of the contents, because the container lid can maintains the engaging state with the container main body all the time.

Since the locking means provided in the container lid of the invention has a self catching structure and a catching structure with respect to the container main body doubly, irrespective of catching with the container main body, the locking means does not dangle, the closing state can be maintained all the time, which is convenient.

Also, the container lid of the invention can be applied not only to a container main body made specially, but also to regular containers. The catching structure with respect to the container main body can be applied without a structural change (such as providing a separate catching protrusion), flexibly to various sizes of container main bodies.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 to 3</figref> are exploded perspective views of a container lid and a container main body according to a first embodiment of the invention, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> being a state viewed in a lower diagonal direction, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> in an upper diagonal direction, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> in a side direction;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 4 to 7</figref> are cross-sectional views for explaining suction-locking mechanisms between the container lid and the container main body, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> being in a state that the container lid is put simply on the container main body, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> in a state that a force is applied on the container lid vertically downwards, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> in a state that a high negative pressure is formed in the internal space of the container by pumping out using a vacuum pump, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> in a state that the negative pressure is weakened in the internal space of the container and the locking member is caught at the container;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8 to 11</figref> show a container lid according to a second embodiment of the invention, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8(<i>a</i>) and 8(<i>b</i>)</figref> being a plan view and a cross-sectional view of the container lid main body, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a perspective view of a locking member, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 10 and 11</figref> a plan view and a side view of container lid, in which a locking member is installed in the container lid main body and the container lid is closed;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 12 to 14</figref> show a container lid according to a third embodiment of the invention, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> being a side view of a container lid main body, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> a perspective view of the locking member, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref> a side view of the container lid in a state that the locking member is installed in the container lid main body and the container lid is closed;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref> shows using a container lid according to a fourth embodiment of the invention to a regular dish-type container, (a) showing a state that no negative pressure is formed, and (b) a state that a strong negative pressure is formed in the internal space of container; and

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 16(<i>a</i>) and 16(<i>b</i>)</figref> show an engaging state of a container lid according to, which is used for regular circular and rectangular bowl-type containers.

BEST MODE OF EMBODIMENTS OF INVENTION

Referring to the attached drawings, detailed description for embodiments of the invention is presented below.

First, a container lid <b>200</b> according to a first embodiment of the invention and a container main body <b>100</b> having a structure suitable to it are described.

The container main body <b>100</b> is enclosed by a bottom and side wall, and provides an open space (for holding contents) on the upper side. On an outer surface near to an opening upper part <b>110</b> at a top end of side wall of the container main body <b>100</b> is provided main body catching protrusions <b>120</b> along horizontal perimeter. The main body catching protrusions <b>120</b> does not have to be provided so as to go completely around the opening upper part <b>110</b>, but it may be provided in a length that is long enough for main body locking protrusions <b>530</b> of a protruding bump <b>440</b> to be described below to be caught.

The container lid <b>200</b> includes a opening cover portion <b>210</b> covering the opening upper part <b>110</b> of the container main body <b>100</b> and a side surface enclosing portion <b>220</b> bent at an edge of the opening cover portion <b>210</b> and extending downwards so as to enclose a top side surface of the opening upper part <b>110</b> of the container main body <b>100</b>. In the side surface enclosing portion <b>220</b> are provided locking-member installing groove <b>230</b> that are cut out for installing a locking member <b>500</b> in a plurality of segments of same intervals. At both horizontal ends of the locking-member installing groove <b>230</b> are provided a pair of locking-member supporting portions <b>232</b> strengthened thickly for supporting force applied to the locking member <b>500</b>, and at corresponding surfaces of inside of the pair of locking-member supporting portions <b>232</b> are provided a pair of rotational supporting protrusions <b>234</b> that protrude horizontally toward each other. Also, it is preferable to make the corresponding surfaces at both ends of the locking-member installing groove <b>230</b> thicker that the rest of the side surface enclosing portion <b>220</b> so as to provide supporting force enough for supporting the locking member <b>500</b> rotatably. And, at lower portions of the corresponding surfaces at both ends are provided self catching protrusions <b>240</b>.

The locking member <b>500</b> is inserted and installed in the locking-member installing groove <b>230</b> rotatably, and has a rotational axle <b>510</b> and a locking wing <b>520</b>. On both right and left ends of the rotational axle <b>510</b> are provided protrusion-inserting grooves <b>512</b>. The rotational axle <b>510</b> is supported so that the protrusion-inserting groove <b>512</b> is inserted to the rotational supporting protrusions <b>234</b> and rotatable to the rotational supporting protrusions <b>234</b>. The locking wing <b>520</b> has a shape similar to the side surface enclosing portion <b>220</b>, extends so as to fill up the locking-member installing groove <b>230</b>, and is provided with main body locking protrusions <b>530</b> and self-locking protrusions <b>540</b> inside. Since the self catching protrusions <b>240</b> are provided at both ends of the locking-member installing groove <b>230</b>, the self-locking protrusions <b>540</b> are provided at both right and left ends of the locking wing <b>520</b> so as to be paired with the self catching protrusions <b>240</b>, and the main body locking protrusions <b>530</b> may be provided between a pair of right and left self-locking protrusions <b>540</b>. When the locking member <b>500</b> is in a closed state (an outer surface of the locking wing <b>520</b> is connected to an outer surface of the side surface enclosing portion <b>220</b> in a same height), the main body locking protrusions <b>530</b> is configured to be caught at the main body catching protrusions <b>120</b> when a pressure difference between inside and outside of the container is weakened (when the negative pressure in the container is weakened), and the self-locking protrusions <b>540</b> are press-engaged to the self catching protrusions <b>240</b> all the time irrespective of the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the container so as to maintain the closed state of the locking member <b>500</b>.

In the internal surface of the opening cover portion <b>210</b> of the container lid <b>200</b> is formed a packing-supporting wall <b>262</b> going around the edge, providing the packing-installing groove <b>260</b> between the packing-supporting wall <b>262</b> and the side surface enclosing portion <b>220</b>. The packing <b>300</b> is installed going around the packing-installing groove <b>260</b>.

The packing <b>300</b> is pressed between the opening upper part <b>110</b> of the container main body <b>100</b> and the packing-installing groove <b>260</b> when the container lid <b>200</b> covers the container main body <b>100</b>, engaging and sealing the contacting surface between the opening upper part <b>110</b> and the packing-installing groove <b>260</b>. The packing <b>300</b> includes a container lid suction portion <b>310</b> suction-attached to a floor of the packing-installing groove <b>260</b>, a container main body suction portion <b>330</b> disposed below the container lid suction portion <b>310</b> and suction-attached to the opening upper part <b>110</b> of the container main body <b>100</b>, and a connecting portion <b>320</b> connecting the container lid suction portion <b>310</b> and the container main body suction portion <b>330</b>. It is preferable to make the suction-attaching surface of the container main body suction portion <b>330</b> larger and make the size range of applicable container main body <b>100</b>. Also, on the top surface of the container main body suction portion <b>330</b>, air-venting slots <b>334</b> are provided among fragmented protruding lines <b>332</b> in a form of fragments provided in a circumferential direction. The air-venting slot <b>334</b> allows air flow between the container main body suction portion <b>330</b> and the check valve installing groove <b>250</b>, so as to prevent each other from being suction-attached.

A check valve installing groove <b>250</b> is provided in the packing-supporting wall <b>262</b> and on an outer surface of the opening cover portion <b>210</b> of the container lid <b>200</b>. A valve-engaging hole <b>258</b> is bored through a middle of the check valve installing groove <b>250</b>, an air-circulating path <b>254</b> cut out in a shape of annular groove so as to enclose the valve-engaging hole <b>258</b>, and at least one air-venting hole <b>256</b> is provided in the air-circulating path <b>254</b>.

The check valve <b>400</b> includes a valve body portion <b>410</b> having a shape similar to a caldron lid. The valve body portion <b>410</b> includes a concave portion <b>412</b> and a suction-sealing portion <b>414</b> provided outside the concave portion <b>412</b>. The concave portion <b>412</b> covers a region enclosed by outer circumference of the air-circulating path <b>254</b>, and an internal surface is almost flat. The suction-sealing portion <b>414</b> forms a slope that is bent around an edge of the concave portion <b>412</b> and extends obliquely downwards in a radial direction. The reason of forming the suction-sealing portion <b>414</b> in a structure of slope or tilted surface is for providing an excellent sealing by preventing the edge of the suction-sealing portion <b>414</b> from being lifted from the groove floor <b>252</b> when negative pressure is formed in the container and the valve body portion <b>410</b> is lowered. In addition, if further providing closed-loop shape edge protrusions <b>450</b> on an outer surface of the suction-sealing portion <b>414</b> going around along edge, the sealing between the edge of the suction-sealing portion <b>414</b> and the groove floor <b>252</b> is strengthened. The closed-loop shape edge protrusion <b>450</b> has the sealing maintained by supporting the suction-sealing portion <b>414</b> so as not to be lifted when negative pressure is formed in the container. The outer surface of the valve body portion <b>410</b> has an overall shape of roundly-curved surface, so that it is preferable to form such that the thickness gets smaller as going in a radial direction from the center. In an internal center of the concave portion <b>412</b> is provided a fixing portion <b>420</b> downwards, so as to have a pointed end and a catching protrusion in the middle. The thickness decreases gradually as going from the center of the concave portion <b>412</b> toward the suction-sealing portion <b>414</b> in a radial direction, and a part of the concave portion <b>412</b> is made as a vacuum-indicating portion <b>430</b> formed in a shape of caldron lid with a film having a very small thickness. On the outer surface of the valve body portion <b>410</b> is provided a protruding bump <b>440</b> protruding upwards.

The entire components forming the check valve <b>400</b> are formed with silicon or rubber that has an excellent suction-sealing property.

By press-inserting the fixing portion <b>420</b> into the valve-engaging hole <b>258</b>, the check valve <b>400</b> is installed in the check valve installing groove <b>250</b>. If a user press strongly and release the container lid <b>200</b> installed with the check valve <b>400</b> in a state of covering the opening upper part of the container main body <b>100</b>, the check valve <b>400</b> allows air to escape to outside but blocks external air entering into the internal space of the container, so that negative pressure is formed in the internal space of the container (detailed mechanism is going to be described below).

The principle of forming negative pressure in the internal space of the container is described referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> through <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> when the container lid <b>200</b> installed with the packing <b>300</b>, the check valve <b>400</b>, and the locking member <b>500</b> covers the container main body <b>100</b>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> shows an initial state that the container lid <b>200</b> is put simply on the container main body <b>100</b> and no external force is applied downwards, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> shows a state that a force is applied on the container lid vertically downwards, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> shows a state that a high negative pressure is formed in the internal space of the container by pumping out using a vacuum pump <b>600</b>, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> shows a state that the negative pressure is weakened or relieved in the internal space of the container.

First, since there is no pressure difference between the inside and outside of the container in the state (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>) that the container lid <b>200</b> is put simply on the container main body <b>100</b>, the vacuum-indicating portion <b>430</b> keeps the original shape of caldron lid, convex upwards, as it was. If the user pressing down hard vertically on the container lid <b>200</b>, the packing <b>300</b> is press-attached between the packing-installing groove <b>260</b> and the opening upper part <b>110</b> of the container main body <b>100</b> and the contacting surface is sealed, so that a high pressure is formed momentarily in the internal space of the container <b>100</b>, <b>200</b>. Since the concave portion <b>412</b> of the check valve <b>400</b> does not block the air-circulating path <b>254</b>, air in the container escapes the air-circulating path <b>254</b> through the air-venting hole <b>256</b> at the moment of applying of such a high pressure, and the pressure of the escaping air is high enough to lift the suction-sealing portion <b>414</b> attached to the groove floor <b>252</b> outside of the air-circulating path <b>254</b>, so that the air escapes outside. If the air escapes and relieve the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the container, the suction-sealing portion <b>414</b> is attached to the groove floor <b>252</b> again (refer to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>). These processes occur in a very short time. In the state of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, the volume of the internal space of the container <b>100</b>, <b>200</b> is smaller than in that of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>. If the user removes the external force, the packing <b>300</b> expands with a self-elasticity and pushes up the container lid <b>200</b> a little, so that the volume of the internal space of the container increases a little. Since the internal space of the container increases its volume without introducing air, negative pressure is formed in the internal space of the container, and the suction-sealing portion <b>414</b> is suction-attached more strongly to the groove floor <b>252</b>, blocking air flow through the contacting surface. The packing <b>300</b> may expand but guarantees sealing between the packing-installing groove <b>260</b> and the opening upper part <b>110</b> of the container main body <b>100</b>. Therefore, the condition of negative pressure in the internal space of the container is maintained, and the film of the vacuum-indicating portion <b>430</b> changes its shape to convex downwards as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> by the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the container.

If negative pressure is formed in the internal space of the container by the user's pressing down the container lid <b>200</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, the container lid <b>200</b> is attached very strongly to the container main body <b>100</b>, so that the user almost cannot detach the container lid <b>200</b> from the container main body <b>100</b> with fingers. However, as discussed in regard to the prior arts in the above, the negative pressure in the internal space of the container may be weakened slowly or quickly due to various factors (for example, the packing <b>300</b> and/or the check valve <b>400</b> cannot attach to the contacting surface completely due to debris or incomplete installation). In order to prevent the container lid <b>200</b> from disengaging form the container main body <b>100</b> even when holding the container lid <b>200</b> only and lifting up the container <b>100</b>, <b>200</b> in a state that negative pressure is not enough in the internal space of the container, it is preferable to lock the locking member <b>500</b>.

If the user closes the locking member <b>500</b> by rotating in the state of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, the self-locking protrusions <b>540</b> of the locking member <b>500</b> are press-inserted to the self catching protrusions <b>240</b>, and at the same time the main body locking protrusions <b>530</b> of the locking member <b>500</b> engages loosely to the main body catching protrusions <b>120</b> or is positioned below the main body catching protrusions <b>120</b> with a little gap without being caught. The reason of designing that way is that since the height of the locking member <b>500</b> fixed to the container lid <b>200</b> changes according to the magnitude of negative pressure in the internal space of the container it is preferable to have the main body locking protrusions <b>530</b> positioned below the main body catching protrusions <b>120</b> when a high negative pressure is formed in the internal space of the container, and to ascend and be caught at the main body catching protrusions <b>120</b> when the negative pressure is weakened or relieved.

If extracting air from the internal space of the container further, the degree of vacuum of the internal space of the container gets heightened and it is possible to deter the spoiling speed of food in the container. For this, if the pressure in an empty space between the check valve installing groove <b>250</b> and the vacuum pump <b>600</b> is lowered than the internal space of the container by pumping the vacuum pump <b>600</b> in a state of covering the top of the check valve installing groove <b>250</b>, the check valve <b>400</b> provides an air venting path through which the air in the internal space of the container is extracted from the air-venting hole <b>256</b> and the air-circulating path <b>254</b> due to the weakening of sealing between the check valve installing groove <b>250</b> and the groove floor <b>252</b>. That is, the air escaping through the air-venting hole <b>256</b> and the air-circulating path <b>254</b> lifts the suction-sealing portion <b>414</b> of the check valve <b>400</b> escapes to the empty space of the check valve installing groove <b>250</b>, and is extracted to outside through the vacuum pump <b>600</b>. By this the stronger negative pressure is formed in the internal space of the container, and the container lid <b>200</b> presses against the packing <b>300</b> and is drawn more strongly toward the container main body <b>100</b> (the vacuum pump <b>600</b> is not a component forming the invention directly, and since it is described in Korean Patent Application Publications 10-2003-0016080 and 10-2008-0014536, the explanation is omitted here). <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> shows a state that a negative pressure is formed more strongly in the internal space of the container, and in this state the main body locking protrusions <b>530</b> of the locking member <b>500</b> are not caught at the main body catching protrusions <b>120</b> always, but are away from it. The vacuum-indicating portion <b>430</b> of the check valve <b>400</b> is also suction-attached downwards more strongly.

Then, for various reasons, the high negative pressure state in the container of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> gets weakened gradually, the packing <b>300</b> expands according to the magnitude of the weakened negative pressure, pushing the container lid <b>200</b> upwards, so that as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> the main body locking protrusions <b>530</b> are caught at last at the main body catching protrusions <b>120</b> or more securely. If the negative pressure in the container is weakened in this state, the packing <b>300</b> expands according to the magnitude of weakened negative pressure and pushes the container lid <b>200</b> upwards, so that the main body locking protrusions <b>530</b> are caught at last at the main body catching protrusions <b>120</b> or more securely. Due to such a being caught between the main body locking protrusions <b>530</b> and the main body catching protrusions <b>120</b>, even though the negative pressure in the internal space of the container is weakened or relieved, as long as the user rotates the locking member <b>500</b> forcefully and open it, the container lid <b>200</b> is not disengaged from the container main body <b>100</b>, getting rid of problems such as spilling.

Since the main body locking protrusions <b>530</b> are not caught at the main body catching protrusions <b>120</b> necessarily when closing the locking member <b>500</b>, the applicable container main body <b>100</b> is not limited to a single size or structure (especially with respect to the main body catching protrusions <b>120</b>), but the range of applicable container main body <b>100</b> is wide. Also, since the self-locking protrusions <b>540</b> are press-inserted to the self catching protrusions <b>240</b> when closing the locking member <b>500</b>, even in a state that the main body locking protrusions <b>530</b> are not caught at the main body catching protrusions <b>120</b> (that is, irrespective of whether the main body locking protrusions <b>530</b> are caught at the main body catching protrusions <b>120</b> or not), the locking member <b>500</b> is not loose but held stably to be closed.

Embodiments of Invention

In a first embodiment, the structure of the locking member <b>500</b> and the corresponding structure of the locking-member installing groove <b>230</b> can be varied as in second and third embodiments to be described below.

First, referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8 to 11</figref>, a container lid <b>1200</b> according to the second embodiment of the invention is described. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8(<i>a</i>) and (<i>b</i>)</figref> are a plan view and a cross-sectional view of the container lid <b>1200</b>, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a perspective view showing a locking member <b>1500</b>, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 10 and 11</figref> are a plan view and a side view of the container lid <b>1200</b> in a closed state after installing the locking member <b>1500</b> in the container lid <b>1200</b>. Since the difference of the container lid <b>1200</b> of the second embodiment from the container lid <b>200</b> of the first embodiment lies in the locking member <b>1500</b> and its installing structure, in order to avoid complication of figures, the packing <b>300</b> and the check valve <b>400</b> are not shown.

The container lid <b>1200</b> according to the second embodiment, when compared to the container lid <b>200</b> of the first embodiment, has a difference in the structures of the locking-member installing groove <b>1230</b> and the locking member <b>1500</b>. In two segments (locking-member installing segments) corresponding to the entire length of the locking member <b>1500</b> in the side surface enclosing portion <b>220</b> of the container lid <b>1200</b> (may include a part of edge of the opening cover portion <b>210</b>) are provided the locking-member supporting portion <b>1232</b> and a pair of locking-member installing groove <b>1230</b>. The locking-member supporting portion <b>1232</b> extends by a specific length side by side with the side surface enclosing portion <b>220</b> at an edge of the opening cover portion <b>210</b> of a part of segment in the locking-member installing segments, and the pair of locking-member installing grooves <b>1230</b> are prepared in a form of cutting out remaining segments on both sides of the locking-member supporting portion <b>1232</b>. Also, on both opposite sides of circumferential direction of the locking-member supporting portion <b>1232</b> are provided a pair of rotational axle supporting protrusions <b>1234</b> protruding in opposite circumferential directions. Also, the self catching protrusions <b>240</b> are provided on both sides of the locking-member installing segments, that is, at lower ends of both side surfaces disposed farthest from each other in the locking-member installing groove <b>1230</b> as in the first embodiment.

Corresponding to such a structure of the locking-member installing groove <b>1230</b> and the locking-member supporting portion <b>1232</b>, a pair of rotational axles <b>1510</b> and locking wings <b>1520</b> bent at the pair of the rotational axle <b>1510</b> and extending side by side with the side surface enclosing portion <b>220</b> are provided. The pair of rotational axle <b>1510</b> is provided with a pair of protrusion inserting grooves <b>1512</b>, which are disposed in line while being away by a distance corresponding to a part of segment in the locking-member installing segments, received in a pair of locking-member installing grooves <b>1230</b> respectively, and inserted to the pair of rotational axle supporting protrusions <b>1234</b> on facing surfaces, so that the locking member <b>1500</b> is supported rotatably. A portion of the locking wing <b>1520</b> corresponding to the locking-member supporting portion <b>1232</b> is bored so as to be inserted to the locking-member supporting portion <b>1232</b> and the entirety is made of a single body, and when the locking wing <b>1520</b> is rotated and closed, the cut-out portion is inserted to the locking-member supporting portion <b>1232</b> and the pair of the rotational axle supporting protrusions <b>1234</b>. In the internal surface of the locking wing <b>1520</b> are formed the self-locking protrusions <b>540</b> and the main body locking protrusions <b>530</b> as in the first embodiment.

Opening and closing operations of the container lid <b>1200</b> according to the second embodiment are equivalent to those of the container lid <b>200</b> of the first embodiment. That is, if the user applies a force for rotating and closing the locking wing <b>1520</b>, the locking member <b>1500</b> is supported by the rotational axle supporting protrusion <b>1234</b>, being rotated and closed. When it is closed, the self-locking protrusions <b>540</b> is press-engaged to the self catching protrusions <b>240</b>, and the main body locking protrusions <b>530</b> are positioned at a lower portion of the main body catching protrusions <b>120</b>, and as the negative pressure in the internal space of the container is weakened it ascends and is caught at the main body catching protrusions <b>120</b>.

Next, referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 12 to 14</figref>, a container lid <b>2200</b> according to a third embodiment of the invention is described. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> is a side view of a main body of container lid <b>2200</b>, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> is a perspective view of the locking member <b>2500</b>, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref> is a side view of the container lid <b>2200</b> in a state of installing the locking member <b>2500</b> in the main body of the side surface enclosing portion <b>220</b> and then being closed. As in the second embodiment, in order to avoid complication in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 12 to 14</figref>, the packing <b>300</b> and the check valve <b>400</b> are not shown.

The difference of container lid <b>2200</b> of the third embodiment from the container lid <b>1200</b> of the second embodiment is that the self catching protrusions <b>2240</b> provided in the main body of the container lid <b>2200</b> is moved and provided in the lower portion of the locking-member supporting portion <b>1232</b>, and at the same time the position of the self-locking protrusions <b>2540</b> of the locking member <b>2500</b> is moved and disposed in the middle of the locking wing <b>2520</b> so as to be caught with the self catching protrusions <b>2240</b>. The rest of structures are same as in the second embodiment.

Other embodiments may be possible even though not shown. For example, the locking-member installing groove <b>230</b>, the rotational supporting protrusions <b>234</b>, the rotational axle <b>510</b>, the protrusion-inserting groove <b>512</b>, and the main body locking protrusions <b>530</b> are made same as in the first embodiment, and only the self catching protrusions <b>2240</b> and the self-locking protrusions <b>2540</b> are made same as in the third embodiment.

Even though the container lid <b>200</b>, <b>1200</b>, <b>2200</b> are described using examples using with the container main body <b>100</b> made accordingly, but the container lid <b>200</b>, <b>1200</b>, <b>2200</b> of the invention may be used as vacuum-sealing lid for various containers being used already.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref> shows a case of using the container lid <b>4200</b> according to a fourth embodiment as a vacuum-sealing lid for the containers, which is as flat as a plate <b>1000</b> with the opening top part <b>1020</b> pointing in a direction close to horizontal or horizontal direction. Since the plate <b>1000</b> usually has a flat shape with small height difference between the floor <b>1010</b> and the opening top part <b>1020</b> at the top of the tilting portion <b>1015</b> but food arises higher than the height of the plate <b>1000</b> frequently, considering it, the opening cover portion <b>4210</b> of the container lid <b>4200</b> for plate may be preferably made in a form having a risen form than the side surface enclosing portion <b>4220</b> so as to provide a sufficient receiving space for food (a shape of upturned bowl). The packing supporting walls <b>4262</b> are provided inside the tilting portion <b>1015</b> of the plate <b>1000</b>, and the packing <b>300</b> is provided between them. The structure and relation between the locking member and the locking-member installing groove can be made according to any one of the previous embodiments.

However, the locking member <b>4500</b> of the container lid <b>4200</b> according to the fourth embodiment needs to be changed with some structure considering the low container main body <b>100</b>. When determining the extended length from the rotational axle <b>510</b> of the locking wing <b>4520</b> of the locking member <b>4500</b>, it is preferable to determine the length so as to be able to dispose the main body locking protrusions <b>530</b> as low as possible in a range in which the locking wing <b>4520</b> does not touch the floor surface on which the plate <b>1000</b> is put, when rotating and closing the locking member <b>4500</b>. It is preferable to provide the side surface enclosing portion <b>4220</b> in a corresponding length. If providing the locking wing <b>4520</b> and the side surface enclosing portion <b>4220</b> as such, a gap too small for a finger to enter is provided between the floor surface on which the plate <b>1000</b> is put and the lower end of the locking wing <b>4520</b> and the side surface enclosing portion <b>4220</b>, so that it might be inconvenient to lift the plate <b>1000</b> engaging with the container lid <b>4200</b>. In order to solve such an inconvenience, preferably a handle <b>4550</b> may be provided in a form protruding horizontally on an outer surface of the locking wing <b>4520</b>. The user may lift the entire container by hook a finger in the handle <b>4550</b> or holding the handle <b>4550</b> conveniently.

Also, in a regular plate <b>1000</b>, there is no separate catching protrusion such as the main body catching protrusions <b>120</b>. Instead, since the plate <b>1000</b> is provided with the opening top part <b>1020</b> in a form extending horizontally or close to horizontally, the opening top part <b>1020</b> may be used as the main body catching protrusions <b>120</b>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15(<i>a</i>)</figref> shows a state of putting the container lid <b>4200</b> simply on the plate <b>1000</b>, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15(<i>b</i>)</figref> shows a state of closing the locking member <b>4500</b> by pressing down vertically and release the container lid <b>4200</b> and forming negative pressure in the internal space between the plate <b>1000</b> and the container lid <b>4200</b>.

In the state of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref>, since the container lid <b>4200</b> is simply put on the plate <b>1000</b>, the packing <b>300</b> is not under pressure and the container main body suction portion <b>330</b> is just put on the opening top part <b>1020</b> of the plate <b>1000</b>. If closing the locking member <b>4500</b> in such a state, the self-locking protrusions <b>540</b> is press-engaged to the self catching protrusions <b>240</b>, and the main body locking protrusions <b>530</b> are caught loosely at the opening top part <b>1020</b> of the plate <b>1000</b>. Of course, according to a shape of plate <b>1000</b>, the main body locking protrusions <b>530</b> may be positioned below with a small gap without being caught at the opening top part <b>1020</b>. In such a state, if the user pushes the container lid <b>4200</b> downwards vertically and releases, air in the internal space defined by the plate <b>1000</b> and the container lid <b>4200</b> escapes to outside through the check valve <b>400</b>, and then negative pressure is formed in the internal space of the container as the packing that was pressed a lot expands a little. In this state, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15(<i>b</i>)</figref>, the check valve <b>400</b> and the packing <b>300</b> are suction-attached to the check valve installing groove <b>250</b> and the packing-installing groove <b>260</b> contacting respectively, sealing the contacting surfaces. Here, the main body locking protrusions <b>530</b> does not touch the opening top part <b>1020</b> of the container main body <b>100</b> and falls downwards. After that, if the packing <b>300</b> expands because the negative pressure formed in the internal space of the plate <b>1000</b> and the container lid <b>4200</b> weakened or relieved, the main body locking protrusions <b>530</b> arise and are caught at the opening top part <b>1020</b> of the plate <b>1000</b>. The opening top part <b>1020</b> performs the function of catching protrusions instead. By this, even though the negative pressure formed in the internal space of the container gets weakened, the container lid <b>4200</b> is not disengaged from the plate <b>1000</b>.

Next, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref> shows that the container lid <b>200</b> of the invention can be applied to bowl-type container which has deep internal space and in which the side wall <b>2020</b>, <b>3020</b> has a tilting surface that is nearly vertical. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16(<i>a</i>)</figref> shows an example, in which the container lid <b>200</b> is used with the bowl-type containers <b>2100</b> having a circular opening upper part, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16(<i>b</i>)</figref> shows an example, in which the container lid <b>200</b> is used with the bowl-type container <b>3100</b> having a rectangular opening upper part. When closing the locking member <b>500</b> in a state of negative pressure formed in the internal space of the container main body <b>2100</b>, <b>3100</b>, the main body locking protrusions <b>530</b> are put loosely on the side wall <b>202</b>, <b>3020</b> of the bowl-type container main body <b>2100</b>, <b>3100</b> or disposed with a gap, and when the negative pressure is weakened or relieved the container lid <b>200</b> arises by the expansion of the packing <b>300</b>, so that the main body locking protrusions <b>530</b> are caught at the side wall <b>2020</b>, <b>3020</b> of the container main body <b>2100</b>, <b>3100</b>. By this, irrespective of whether negative pressure is formed in the container or not, the container lid <b>200</b> is maintained to engage the container main body <b>2100</b>, <b>3100</b> all the time. Of course, the container lids <b>1200</b>, <b>2200</b>, <b>4200</b> of the other embodiments can be applied to such bowl-type containers.

The descriptions of the invention in the above are just for embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the field of arts may change and modify the invention variously without leaving the spirit and scope of the invention claimed in the claims below. Therefore, all the changes that are equivalent or inclusive to the claims of the invention belong to the scope of the invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

The present invention may be applied widely to various containers with top opening for holding contents such as food. Also, since in a case of urns for remains, if a high vacuum is applied inside, it is very efficient to prevent decomposition of the remains, the invention may be applied to manufacturing of lid or main body of urn.